We wanted to go to the mountains again. There are hardly any changes by people there - hardly any houses, rubbish and no agriculture. There, the animals and plants live without human interference. This is what fascinates us about this landscape. There are numerous water sources along the way, but not much to eat. Therefore, we took food with us, mostly dried, to save weight.
It's a lonely area. However, we met a few hikers. One of them told us that there was a lot of life in this area in the 40's. He showed us e.g. a ruin that was once a bakery for the people in the area and for those passing by. There were also armed conflicts between the Franco regime's military and its opponents. The Lucero offered opponents steep slopes with crevasses in which they could easily hide. The story of Antonio Martín González and the story of the house "Venta de Panaderos" give us an insight into life at that time.
We got a little rain in two nights. But we slept in both nights in a cave that protected us from wind and cold as well. There was a lot of wind in the high mountains. Therefore we didn't reach the summit of the Lucero - but almost...
Saturday, 19 Nov 2022
Aline, Murielle and I started at 4 pm in El Morche and walked some km along the beaches to Torrox Costa. The village in the background is Torrox. The high mountain in the background on the left side is the Lucero.
I collected these dried figs under a tree. And almost all of them tasted good! For me, taste is key. If the fruits are eaten by animals or have worms, it's not a problem for me. This is important for self-sufficiency, survival and also for health.
Sunday
Now we're 4 people - the friend of Aline joined, but only for one hour.
Dung beetle at work
In Torrox Costa we bought some ecologic vegetables. On the way we found the mangos, pomegranates, avocados and almonds. The food that we brought from home, is not on the photo: bananas, vegetables and seeds.
Aline collects almonds.
At the church of Cómpeta we meet Pascale and Pablo. They join us.
Monday
We slept in this olive plantation. Apparently there was a fire, the smell of the burned wood was a bit disturbing.
We find walnuts on the way. There are many walnut trees around Fabrica de la Luz.
A big tree, several hundred years old. We are able to hug it with three people.
Its a cork oak tree. In this area it's rare, you can find it more in Extremadura and Portugal.
Puerto Blanquillo. Puerto usually means port, but has a different meaning here, namely mountain pass, between the valleys of Río Torrox and Río Algarrobo.
The "Cueva del Daire" is in view! We discovered the cave already two years ago on Aim'jie's Walk.
After climbing up a small path, we arrive at the cave and enjoy the beautiful view.
First we think, we can see the Lucero from here: the mountain in the background over my head. But later we realize: It's the Cisne. We wasn't there on the top yet. The Lucero is not visible from here.
The cave is large enough for several people to sleep.
There is a mattress at the back of the cave. Someone dragged it here. Most of us don't like to sleep there for fear of dust, I have no worries and enjoy the convenience.
Tuesday
We leave the sleeping stuff in the cave and hike to the Lucero. However, 1.3 km before the summit we return by a different route. It would still be 300m uphill and the wind is too strong. Here we find a nice place in the sun for a break.
You can see 2 mountains, in front the Lucerillo, left of it in the background the Lucero.
I carry our foldable solar panel, to use the little sun we have today.
Almost back at the cave, we see 3 horses. They live in freedom.
They are trusting.
This one even seems to be smiling.
A photo from the cave. We sleep in it another night.
Our cave gospel dance
Wednesday
View from the cave and inside
We're walking back over the GR-249. On the way we find this funny stone.
I walk barefoot the entire Walkabout.
It's a beautiful track here on the GR-249.
Pascale has knee pain because she fell on it yesterday.
We arrive in Cómpeta again and find this informations about hiking trails.
From Cómpeta, we go home in Pascale's car.
